High Potential is a funny and super interesting show. It’s based off of a French show called HPI, which is up to five seasons already. So, High Potential definitely still has a lot of story left to tell. It’s about Morgan, who is a single mom with a gift for spotting small details that no one else does. She’s a messy and unpredictable person, but still finds herself helping the police with their cases. Every episode has a new mystery, but there’s also a larger story where she tries to investigate the 15-year-old disappearance of the father of her daughter. If you enjoyed this show, here are 5 of the best alternatives:
1. Veronica Mars
Veronica Mars is an older show but it was one of my favorites back in the day. It’s about a teenage private investigator in high school who works as a part-time investigator for her father. Veronica is very smart and reminds me a lot of Morgan from High Potential. She’s constantly underestimated, and that just makes her work harder to solve her cases. She solves lots of smaller cases, as well as huge one that stretches through the entire series. This is a show that I can rewatch over and over again without ever getting tired of it.
2. The Mentalist
Patrick Jane used to pretend he was a psychic, and would “read minds” for money. After the murder of his wife, he dropped the act and started using his razor sharp observational skills to help the police solves murders. He’s charming, talkative, and is always one step ahead of everyone in the room. This makes him both loved and hated by the people he works with. The big running mystery through the series is the hunt for Red John, the serial killer who killed his wife. The Mentalist has a great story with lots of emotional and funny bits to enjoy.
3. Castle
Richard Castle is a best-selling mystery writer who tags along with the NYPD for inspiration for a book character. He’s playful, impulsive, and is constantly annoying the detectives he works with, especially Kate Beckett, who is the lead investigator. He uses creative approaches to help solve cases in ways that regular police couldn’t. It’s a fun show but has a lot of heart in the writing. While the show has new mysteries each week, a long-running story line is about the unsolved murder of Beckett’s mother. Castle is a great show that you can rewatch over and over again.
4. Psych
Psych follows Shawn Spencer, who is a guy with a photographic memory and can read people so well that he convinces the police he’s psychic. He then begins helping detectives solve cases. His sharp instincts and silliness makes him both impressive and exhausting to those around him. He manages to turn every investigation into a game and is constantly joking and pranking his best friend Gus, who helps him with cases. The friendship carries the show through 8 fun-filled seasons.
5. Monk
Adrian Monk was once a top San Francisco detective, but after his wife’s death, his obsessive compulsive disorder took full control of his life. He can’t shake habits that make his daily life almost impossible. Those same habits make him a brilliant investigator. He looks at everything in more details than anyone else. Every clue has to make sense, and he won’t rest until it does. At the heart of the show is Monk’s search for the truth about his wife’s murder. Monk is funny show that you’ll absolutely love.
Top 5 Comedy Mystery Shows
Each of these shows centers around someone who doesn’t quite fit the mold. Brilliant minds that see the world their own way. They’re strange, flawed, funny, and endlessly interesting to watch. If you enjoy mysteries that balance sharp writing with real personality, these are the ones to put on your list next. And if you want to test out your detective skills even more, check out our printable murder mystery case files. Comb through interrogations, call logs, receipts, and tons of other evidence to find the killer. Each mystery has between three and seven objectives that need to be solved in order to complete them.
For darker comedy mystery shows with a gothic atmosphere, check out my top 5 shows like Wednesday. For cozier murder mystery show, 5 shows like Only Murders in the Building is the list for you. For everything in the mystery entertainment genre across all formats, see our best murder mystery entertainment guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these shows is closest to High Potential specifically?
The Mentalist is the closest match. Both shows have a quirky consultant with unusual observational skills who work with the police. Veronica Mars is also a good match, with a younger protagonist.
Are any of these shows still running?
No, all of these are classics that have completed. Monk did have a new movie that was released in 2023 called Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie.
What’s the best entry point if I want something to watch tonight?
Monk. It’s an old show but it’s family friendly and has a funny, light premise. Psych is also a pretty good option with more over-the-top comedy.
Sherwin has been creating amazing murder mystery case files since 2023 – and he has no plans to ever stop. His cases have earned rave reviews from players around the world, and he’s since expanded into full murder mystery dinner party games. With 10 years of experience under his belt creating digital products, he brings a sharp eye for design and detail to every crime scene he builds.
